Technology has helped improve the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their caregivers, with parents fretting less when their children are out alone and the children learning with greater independence from online platforms.
Housewife Lim Sook Wei, 48, says she now has peace of mind when her son Hugh Lee, 12, travels on his own in a cab or bus, as a location app on their smartphones will tell her his location.
Hugh, a Primary 6 pupil at Pathlight School, on the other hand, uses his smartphone to get information swiftly on subjects that interest him.
Online learning platforms at Pathlight have also allowed him to the platforms for revision and to do his homework independently, said Madam Lim.
Earlier this year, various special education schools also announced technology-related curricula such as coding and digital skills lessons.
But more can be done to better the lives of those with autism, said parents and experts interviewed. These include providing more employment opportunities and therapy treatments as well as ensuring social integration.
According to Madam Lim, compassion, kindness and love for others have to start from a young age for the ideal model of full inclusion.
Another area for improvement is obtaining treatment for her son. She shared that private services are expensive while public services have long waiting times.
Dr Eyleen Goh, principal investigator at the National Neuroscience Institute and associate professor at the neuroscience and mental health faculty at Nanyang Technological University’s medical school, feels that it is equally crucial to focus more on funding and supporting research work in understanding autism and to develop strategies for diagnosis.
Read more here.
Source: The Straits Times, 21 August 2019